Ralph Pizzani

On September 17, 2026, of Washington Twp., formerly of Haddonfield, passed away at the age of 78. Ralph was the beloved husband of the late Phyllis (nee Lizzio). He was the devoted father of Jennifer Pizzani (Shane) and Melissa Pizzani (Bob).  Loving grandfather of Zoe, Christopher and Owen.  Dear brother of Teresa Olivo, Lauretta Apman and the late Michael Pizzani.

A resident of Cardinal Village in Washington Township since March of 2024, Ralph passed in peace with loved ones by his side, on September 17^th, 2026. At seventy-eight years of age, Ralph was a well lived man whose life felt like many lives of numerous amazing adventures since his birth on July 21^st, 1948, in Camden New Jersey at Cooper Hospital. Ralph grew up in South Jersey when it was a much more rural place and told stories to his children and grandchildren about riding his horse Bucky down roads that are now congested with cars and traffic. His youth was spent at rodeos, learning to work on cars, racing said cars and being a bit of an all-around badass! He was cool from the start and never stopped being so! He was one of the fastest guys on his football team at Triton Regional High School, which in perfect synchrony was directly across the street from the home of his future bride. He spotted her working at the Dog House where he declared to his friend on the Black Horse Pike, “See that blonde over there? That’s the girl that I am going to marry!” Ralph and Phyllis were married on October 5th, 1968, at St. Teresa Catholic Church in Runnemede, New Jersey.

Ralph joined in the defense of his country during the Vietnam War. His enlistment in the United States Navy from 1967-1971 included completion of Naval Air Training as a naval aviation mechanic. He served as a crew member on both C-47 and C-54 aircraft while stationed at Sangly Point in the Philippines. He also had the honor to perform as a helo director for President Richard Nixon’s visit to Manila. Serving his country was a point of pride for Ralph’s entire life. He was a Vietnam Vet until the end and a sincere patriot with a love for his country.

Ralph and Phyllis settled eventually in Haddonfield, raising two daughters and enjoying life to the fullest. They found joy in caring for their home, presenting a beautiful landscape of both flower and vegetable gardens each and every season as well as vacationing and putting their family first in everything they did! Ralph could do anything around the house and enjoyed all kinds of projects. He was always incredibly whip smart, very artistic, strong in his convictions and both a loving and dedicated husband and father. While raising a family, he worked at the Mobil Oil Refinery in Paulsboro for over two decades where he began his career as a pipefitter and went up through the ranks of management retiring as a project manager.

During all of this, Ralph also saw his wife through years of illness and was an absolute stellar inspiration of what perfect and selfless devotion looks like.  After losing her in his very early forties, he never stopped loving her and dreamt of her almost nightly for the remainder of his days. His family rests easy to know they are now reunited! Ralph remained committed to his family until the end and absolutely adored all of them, including three grandchildren that were his absolute pride!

Ralph loved cars, horses, motorcycles and birds, he was the utmost example of being both tough and tender! He was always a fighter and especially had to be so over the last eight years of his life with his own health issues. He is now at total perfect and eternal rest! He will be forever remembered and loved always by his daughters, Jennifer Pizzani and Melissa Pizzani as well as by his sons-in-law, Shane Hanover and Bob Messimer, and grandchildren Zoe Felicia Hanover, Christopher and Owen Messimer. He will be sadly missed by his sisters Teresa Olivo and Lauretta Apman as well as extended family and many, many friends.

Family and friends are invited to attend Ralph’s viewing Friday 9:30-11:00 AM at the Egizi Funeral Home, 119 Ganttown Road, Washington Twp.  His funeral service will follow at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ralph’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

“A Life Well Lived Is Worth Remembering”